National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer

The National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer is an honour presented annually at the National Film Awards of India since 1968 to a male playback singer for the best renditions of songs from films within the Indian film industry. The award was first granted to Mahendra Kapoor in 1967. The singers whose performances have won awards have worked in nine major languages: Hindi (19 awards), Malayalam (9 awards), Bengali (7 awards), Telugu and Marathi (5 awards each), Tamil, Kannada (4 awards), and Punjabi (1 award).

National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer
National Award for contributions to Indian Cinema
The 2022 recipient: Arijit Singh
Awarded for	Best Male Playback Singer for feature film for a year
Sponsored by	National Film Development Corporation of India
Formerly called	Best Playback Singer of the Year (1967)
Reward(s)	Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) ₹2,00,000
First awarded	1967
Last awarded	2022
Most recent winner	Arijit Singh for "Kesariya" from Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva
Highlights
Most awards	K. J. Yesudas (8)
Total awarded	54
First winner	Mahendra Kapoor
Website	https://dff.gov.in/Archive.aspx?ID=6

The singer with the most awards in this category is K. J. Yesudas with eight wins for three languages (Malayalam, Telugu and Hindi), followed by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam who won six times for four languages (Telugu, Hindi, Kannada and Tamil). Udit Narayan and Shankar Mahadevan follow next, winning three awards each. The singers Manna Dey, Hemanta Kumar Mukhopadhyay, M. G. Sreekumar, Hariharan and Arijit Singh have bagged this award twice.

Recipients

List of award recipients, showing the year (award ceremony), song(s), film(s), language(s) and citation
Year	Image	Recipient(s)	Song(s)	Film(s)	Language(s)	Citation	Refs.
1967 (15th)		Mahendra Kapoor	"Mere Desh Ki Dharti"	Upkar	Hindi	–	[1]
1968 (16th)		Manna Dey	"Jhanak Jhanak Tori Baaje Paayaliya"	Mere Huzoor	Hindi	–	[2]
1969 (17th)		Sachin Dev Burman	"Safal Hogi Teri Aradhana"	Aradhana	Hindi	–	[3]
1970 (18th)		Manna Dey	• "Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo"  • "Ja Khushi Ora Bole"	• Mera Naam Joker  • Nishi Padma	• Hindi  • Bengali	–	[4]
1971 (19th)		Hemant Kumar	–	Nimantran	Bengali	–	[5]
1972 (20th)		K. J. Yesudas	"Manushyan Mathangale"	Achanum Bappayum	Malayalam	–	[6]
1973 (21st)		K. J. Yesudas	"Padmatheerthame Unaroo"	Gayathri	Malayalam	–	[7]
1974 (22nd)		Mukesh	"Kahi Baar Yoon Bhi Dekha Hai"	Rajnigandha	Hindi	–	[8]
1975 (23rd)		M. Balamuralikrishna	–	Hamsageethe	Kannada	–	[9]
1976 (24th)		K. J. Yesudas	"Gori Tera Gaon Bada Pyara"	Chitchor	Hindi	–	[10]
1977 (25th)		Mohammed Rafi	"Kya Hua Tera Wada"	Hum Kisise Kum Naheen	Hindi	For a golden voice, with resonant timbre and charm, highly cultivated to convey the nuances of melodies based on classical and light classical ragas with as much ease and felicity as tunes set to the lilt of light music; for the sheer brilliance of form and content in his powerful interpretations; for a distinctive personal style.	[11]
1978 (26th)		Shimoga Subbanna	"Kaadu Kudure Odi Banditta"	Kaadu Kudure	Kannada	For rendering the theme song "Kaadu Kudure" in a style which is atonce vigorous and lyrical.	[12]
1979 (27th)		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam	"Omkara Naadaanusandhanamou"	Sankarabharanam	Telugu	–	[13]
1980 (28th)		Anup Ghoshal	"Aaha Ke Anondo"	Hirak Rajar Deshe	Bengali	For a wonderful range of voice and the sense of rhythm imparted to the songs rendered, by him.	[14]
1981 (29th)		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam	"Tere Mere Beech Mein"	Ek Duuje Ke Liye	Hindi	For great feeling and sense of rhythm which he brings to his vocal rendering.	[15]
1982 (30th)		K. J. Yesudas	"Akasha Desana"	Meghasandesam	Telugu	For his rich contribution to the musical element of the film.	[16]
1983 (31st)		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam	"Vedam Anuvanuvuna Naadam"	Saagara Sangamam	Telugu	For his resonant and technically rich rendering of musical forms to enhance dramatic impact.	[17]
1984 (32nd)		Bhimsen Joshi	"Thumak Thumak Pag"	Ankahee	Hindi	–	[18]
1985 (33rd)		Jayachandran	"Sivasankara Sarva Saranya Vibho"	Sree Narayana Guru	Malayalam	For his superb rendering of devotional songs keeping in tune with the subject matter of the film.	[19]
1986 (34th)		Hemant Kumar	–	Lalan Fakir	Bengali	For his superb rendering of the traditional songs in his deep and vibrant voice.	[20]
1987 (35th)		K. J. Yesudas	"Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam"	Unnikale Oru Kadha Parayam	Malayalam	For the vivacity and mellifluous rendering of the theme song, giving full and meaningful expression to the lyric.	[21]
1988 (36th)		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam	"Cheppaalani Undi"	Rudraveena	Telugu	For bringing playback singing a rare depth of emotion adorned by his command of classical idiom.	[22]
1989 (37th)		Ajoy Chakrabarty	–	Chhandaneer	Bengali	For bringing the rare depth of emotion, adomed by his command on the classical idiom.	[23]
1990 (38th)		M. G. Sreekumar	"Nadharoopini Shankari Pahimam"	His Highness Abdullah	Malayalam	For an excellent rendering of a classical-based tune encompassing all ranges accurately.	[24]
1991 (39th)		K. J. Yesudas	"Ramakadha Gaanalayam"	Bharatham	Malayalam	For the mellifluous and masterful rendering of songs in the classical style.	[25]
1992 (40th)		Rajkumar	"Naadamaya Ee Lokavella"	Jeevana Chaitra	Kannada	For his extraordinary rendering of a raga celebrating the all pervasive power of music.	[26]
1993 (41st)		K. J. Yesudas	"Ksheera Saagara"	Sopanam	Malayalam	For his superb capacity to render a variety of moods by means of a rich and melodious voice, which is capable of delineating both the range and depth of human emotions.	[27]
1994 (42nd)		P. Unni Krishnan	• "Ennavale"  • "Uyirum Neeye"	• Kadhalan  • Pavithra	Tamil	For his range and masterly rendition of the songs of two Tamil films, demonstrating a rare professionalism and command over technique.	[28]
1995 (43rd)		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam	"Umandu Ghumandu Ghana Garaje Badara"	Sangeetha Sagara Ganayogi Panchakshara Gavai	Kannada	For his soulful rendering of the classical song.	[29]
1996 (44th)		S. P. Balasubrahmanyam	"Thanga Thamarai"	Minsara Kanavu	Tamil	For his brilliant rendering of the song.	[30]
1997 (45th)		Hariharan	"Mere Dushman Mere Bhai"	Border	Hindi	For his melodious rendering of the heartwarming song.	[31]
1998 (46th)		Sanjeev Abhyankar	"Suno Re Bhaila"	Godmother	Hindi	For the song in which he successfully blends folk, bhajan and popular music to communicate the lyrics effectively.	[32]
1999 (47th)		M. G. Sreekumar	"Chanthu Pottum"	Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum	Malayalam	For a heartwarming rendition of the song.	[33]
2000 (48th)		Shankar Mahadevan	"Yenna Solla Pogirai"	Kandukondain Kandukondain	Tamil	For the soulful rendering of the song.	[34]
2001 (49th)		Udit Narayan	• "Mitwa"  • "Jaane Kyon"	• Lagaan  • Dil Chahta Hai	Hindi	-	[35]
2002 (50th)		Udit Narayan	"Chhote Chhote Sapne"	Zindagi Khoobsoorat Hai	Hindi	For his melodious rendering of the title song.	[36]
2003 (51st)		Sonu Nigam	"Kal Ho Naa Ho"	Kal Ho Naa Ho	Hindi	For his memorable rendition of the title song that captures the spirit of the film.	[37]
2004 (52nd)		Udit Narayan	"Yeh Taara Woh Taara"	Swades	Hindi	For the song to honour his soulful rendition of this beautiful Rahman melody with imaging modulation.	[38]
2005 (53rd)		Naresh Iyer	"Roobaroo"	Rang De Basanti	Hindi	For his melodious rendering of a lilting song that adds exuberance to the film.	[39]
2006 (54th)		Gurdas Maan	"Couplets of Heer"	Waris Shah: Ishq Daa Waaris	Punjabi	For building the entire narrative through his singing of Heer.	[40]
2007 (55th)		Shankar Mahadevan	"Maa"[41]	Taare Zameen Par	Hindi	For the plaintive rendition of a soulful song which is a musical expression of a theme which touches the heart.	[42]
2008 (56th)		Hariharan	"Jeev Dangla Gungla Rangla Asa"	Jogwa	Marathi	For his soulful rendition reflecting the agony of unfulfilled emotions.	[43]
2009 (57th)		Rupam Islam	"Ei To Ami"[44]	Mahanagar@Kolkata	Bengali	For the deeply felt emotional resonance and a haunting lilt that evokes the thematic ambience of the film.	[45]
2010 (58th)		Suresh Wadkar	"Hey Bhaskara Kshitijavari Ya"	Mee Sindhutai Sapkal	Marathi	For rendering soulful lyrics in a resonant voice soaked in emotion with a purity of musical expression and spiritual empathy.	[46]
2011 (59th)		Anand Bhate	"Chinmaya Sakal Hridaya"	Balgandharva	Marathi	For taking up the challenge of recreating the ethos of a doyen like Bal Gandharva who strode the musical stage like a giant. He recreates the magic of the sonorous voice of Bal Gandharva in a flawless and distinguished manner thus helping preserve a tradition. The original voice of the actor and his voice blend seamlessly.	[47]
2012 (60th)		Shankar Mahadevan	"Bolo Na"	Chittagong	Hindi	Powerful and expressive rendering of what sounds like a timeless melody.	[48]
2013 (61st)		Rupankar Bagchi	"E Tumi Kemon Tumi"	Jaatishwar	Bengali	A soulful voice with a rich resonance that enhances the theme of the film.	[49]
2014 (62nd)		Sukhwinder Singh	"Bismil"	Haider	Hindi	For a powerful rendition which effectively reflects the agony and anger of the protagonist.	[50]
2015 (63rd)		Mahesh Kale	"Aruni Kirani"	Katyar Kaljat Ghusali	Marathi	A consummate performance in the best of Hindustani musical traditions.	[51]
2016 (64th)	–	Sundarayyar	"Jasmine-U"	Joker	Tamil	A rustic flamboyant voice yearning for his lady love.	[52]
2017 (65th)		K. J. Yesudas	"Poy Maranja Kalam"	Viswasapoorvam Mansoor	Malayalam	–
2018 (66th)		Arijit Singh	"Binte Dil"	Padmaavat	Hindi	For tonal quality of his voice and his blend of emotions which comes across very strongly in the song.	[53]
2019 (67th)		B Praak	"Teri Mitti"	Kesari	Hindi	For soulful recitation of a patriotic song.
2020 (68th)		Rahul Deshpande	"Kaivalya Gaan"	Me Vasantrao	Marathi	For a soul stirring rendition in classical Hindustani style.	[54]
2021 (69th)	–	Kaala Bhairava	"Komuram Bheemudo"	RRR	Telugu	For a soulful rendition of a song about the spirit of freedom.
2022 (70th)		Arijit Singh	"Kesariya"	Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva	Hindi		[55]

See also

• National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer

References

1. "15th National Film Awards" (PDF). International Film Festival of India. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
2. "16th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
3. "17th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
4. "18th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
5. "Hemant Kumar@indianautographs". Retrieved 1 July 2012.
6. "20th National Film Awards". International Film Festival of India. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
7. "21st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
8. "22nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
9. "23rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
10. "The raga of friendship". The Hindu. 10 April 2007. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
11. "25th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
12. "26th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
13. "[e-mail]". Archived from the original on 29 September 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2012.
14. "28th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
15. "29th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
16. "30th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 4 October 2011.
17. "31st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 December 2011.
18. "32nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
19. "33rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
20. "34th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
21. "35th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
22. "36th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
23. "37th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
24. "38th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
25. "39th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 27 February 2012.
26. "40th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
27. "41st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
28. "42nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. pp. 6–7. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
29. "43rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
30. "44th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
31. "45th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
32. "46th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 12 March 2012.
33. "47th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
34. "48th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
35. "49th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
36. "50th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
37. "51st National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
38. "52nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
39. "53rd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
40. "54th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 24 March 2012.
41. Percepts Kanchivaram bags highest honour at the 55th National Awards. New Delhi. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021.
42. "55th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. pp. 14–15. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
43. "56th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
44. "57th National Film Awards (Video)".
45. "57th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
46. "58th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
47. "59th National Film Awards for the Year 2011 Announced". Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
48. "60th National Film Awards Announced" (PDF) (Press release). Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
49. "61st National Film Awards Announced" (Press release). Press Information Bureau (PIB), India. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
50. "62nd National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 24 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
51. "63rd National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
52. "64th National Film Awards" (PDF) (Press release). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 April 2017.
53. "66th National Film Awards".
54. Bureau, The Hindu (22 July 2022). "68th National Film Awards | Updates". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 July 2022. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
55. Nyayapati, Neeshita (16 August 2024). "70th National Film Awards full list of winners: Brahmastra, Ponniyin Selvan Part 1, Aattam win big". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 17 August 2024.

External links

• Official Page for Directorate of Film Festivals, India
• National Film Awards Archives